History of Hispanic Gangs in the United States
...opular swimming hole and his death was blamed on a gang fight. The Los Angeles police department arrested several members of the 38th Street Gang and indicted them for the murder. On a foundation of falsified evidence, seventeen of the members were sent to Hurd 2 prison. On October 4, 1943 the California Appeals Court overturned the convictions of the 38th Street Gang members, finding that the defendants had not been given the chance to defend themselves and that evidence had been fabricated. The “Sleepy Lagoon” murder demonstrated that anti-Hispanic sentiment was present in government and served to unify the Hispanic community “to fight against class distinction based on prejudice and racism, and to fight against the establishment, especially the police”(Valdez 4). The concept of “protecting turf”appeared in the late 1940's during the rise of the Marivilla gangs. This occurred for two reasons: competition for jobs and women, and the fight against the establishment. During World War Two Los Angeles became a major hub for soldiers involved in the Pacific campaign. The soldiers were very popular with local women. The increase in competition not only increased the mentality that turf needed to be protected and but also created the first gang uniforms. Additionally, after the “Sleepy Lagoon” Trial many Hispanics felt that they could not trust the police. As a result Hispanic gangs became the policemen of their own barrios. “By the late 1940's Hispanic street gangs and gang members had increased. Hispanic youth found certain solidarity in street gangs, believing their cause was just”(Valdez 5). During the 1950's gang membership increased and violence was commonly used to settle conflicts. Many inner city families migrated to the suburbs in attempt to protect their children from the increasing gang violence or from further involvement with gangs, however, this only served to increase gang membership when their children formed new gangs in the suburbs. In 1968 at San Quentin, an incident occurred that would forever change the future of Hispanic street gangs. Robert Padilla, a Hispanic from northern California was Hurd 3 murdered by some Hispanics from southern California. This incident created tensions based entirely on geographic location that have played out in cities thought the United States. In the 1970's there was a strong effort to curb gang violence. As a result many gang leaders were sent to prison, but just like the families who tied to escape gangs by migrating to the suburbs, this tougher stance had unforeseen consequences. With the elders in prison, younger gang members could basically do whatever they wanted.. The end result was more violence and a slow breakdown of the gang system. By the late 1980's many gangs had started to sell drugs for profit. This not only increased violence in these neighborhoods but also served to increase gang membership. Alternatives such as Tagger crews developed for people who wanted to avoid gangs. These groups tried to co-exist with the gangs around them, however, because of the strong influence of gang culture, it did not take long ...